What changed, besides weight, after losing a lot of weight?

seltzermint555

Ftw37 wrote: »

Now, I am just a background character--one of the crowd. I have disappeared. It's kind of weird, since I am still trying to get rid of the defensive chip on the shoulder I had when I was fat. I am now part of that "normal-sized-person" club that everyone else always was a member of.

People sit next to me on the bus and subway without a second thought. I am not obviously judged for every public meal I eat.

It's weird.

Yes to all of this, I can relate very well. It is weird. It's also odd as a thirtysomething woman to suddenly be touched so much by random women and girls, whether I know them or not. I was obese even as a teen and while I've always had female friends we didn't touch or hug really. Now I'll just be in a public place, shopping in a store, or at a casual party and women will touch my skin, hair, face, clothing or whatever...hug me and so on. I never realized until now how they kept their distance before and to be honest it's a bit unsettling to suddenly feel like I have less personal space.

The same is true when shopping in stores. In the past, being a woman at 270-300+ I was given SUCH a wider berth (no pun intended). Now I always feel like people are in my space, and it seems difficult to "own my space" in a way I have never experienced. I'm not small at 5'8" and on the higher end of a healthy weight - but it seems that with me being relatively "normal" most people are like "oh it's just some lady I'll share her tiny bench seat on the bus or stand six inches from her in this line".

So weird.

I also feel like before I was noticed a lot for being "the big girl with confidence/style" and now I'm just seen as an average person. I do still get compliments a lot, but I realize now that being a plus-sized fairly fashionable woman I was getting somewhat backhanded compliments near-daily for being that way "DESPITE" my size...kind of crazy.

librarydebster

Exercise is now a priority because it's fun. Being out in the forest hiking is one of my favorite ways to spend time. I'm willing to try things I wouldn't have considered before. Night hiking with headlamps with a group or with my husband is something I didn't know was a possibility before. Now I want to try kayaking. I did a color run in the summer and I'm doing a Santa run (walking it) this weekend. Exercise has become fun and joining hiking groups has given me an outlet to exercise with like minded people who would rather be outdoors and active than sit at home after work. I feel strong and healthy. I can walk up steep hills without trouble, which makes me feel confident and athletic. Looking leaner in clothes is an ego boost. My thyroid medication had to be reduced after losing over 65 pounds. Shopping at sports stores is now interesting to me.

Sparlingo

goldenweasel wrote: »

i also love exercising and i'm not afraid to try new physical things because i'm not so afraid of failing now.

THIS! I have learned to be fine with looking foolish while trying and failing at things, because I've learned that some failure is necessary while pushing yourself, and I've also learned that success does come with persistence.

I had let a whole lot of life pass time by while sitting things out because I "knew" I couldn't do things...

So I am more of a participant in the active parts of life, and less of a passive observer.

StrongHealthyPowerful

A weird thing that changed for me is I had to change how I interacted with men. I had always been bigger, and I was also always pretty flirty. It never really seemed to matter who I flirted with, because no one ever took me seriously. I was always just the funny fat girl. Once I lost weight however, I definitely fumbled around for a while trying to find the best manner to use, due to more than one awkward situation where my behavior was misinterpreted. I had a couple people ask me out who I wished hadn’t (always uncomfortable, made worse if you don’t have a lot of experience turning people down), and inadvertently hurt a female friend’s feelings because of how I acted towards her crush. It was rather surprising and took a lot of getting used to. I guess that I had gotten so used to being overlooked and once people started paying attention (not just due to my weight loss but also the huge boost in confidence that came with it), I didn’t know how to act!

I’ve figured it out though, and I feel like I’ve found a good balance between being my naturally friendly self, and not giving the wrong impression.

salembambi

I stand out in a crowd still just not for the same reason I use to
ummm I love myself most of the time now
I voice my strong opinions with a lot more confidence and just really do not care what other people think of me

sukid88

I have lost 46 pounds so far and since I'm short it makes a big difference. I'm 5'2, started at 172 and am currently 125 (looking to get down to 115).

I am a lot more confident. I have noticed that guys are nicer and hit on me more, people compliment me, people are just overall nicer to me...which I think is due to my confidence level increasing. I used to be a shy because I was embarrassed of my weight, but now that I know I look better I am more willing to get out there because I don't care what people have to say anymore.

Sinistrous

LOL. Findings that you can gain a lot of it back if you aren't careful.

FortWildernessLoopy

I don't feel as self conscious. I've lost 100lbs, still have 70 to go, but now I don't dread leaving the house and feeling all the pointing and staring (which, yes, I got quite a bit of). It was at the point I wouldn't even go to family functions because of all the judging and 'suggestions' of how others would live my life and lose weight. Anyway, now I look forward to taking long walks and going to the beach with my hubby. Riding my bike is a pleasure, now and I started wearing make-up and doing stuff with my hair because at my heaviest, I just figured, "why bother?". Wow, this all sounds like doom and gloom, but honestly that's how I felt and now I feel better!